Author: Katie Taranto

Katie Taranto is a reporter at Local News Now, primarily covering business, public safety and the city of Falls Church. She graduated from the University of Missouri in 2024, where she previously covered K-12 education at The Columbia Missourian. She is originally from Macungie, Pennsylvania.

Around Town

Maman opens new Pentagon City cafe tomorrow amid ongoing expansion

By Katie Taranto
Maman's new cafe in Pentagon City (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Arlington’s third Maman cafe is opening in Pentagon City tomorrow with giveaways for its first customers.

The French-inspired bakery and cafe is hosting a grand opening on the ground floor of Amazon HQ2 (1450 S. Eads Street), where Mae’s Market and Cafe closed last year. Starting at 8 a.m, the first 100 customers will receive a free tote bag and cookie with purchase.

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Around Town

Safeway in Cherrydale plans renovations for ‘super premium’ store remodel

By Katie Taranto
Safeway at 3713 Langston Blvd (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

The Safeway in Cherrydale is getting a facelift this year.

The longtime grocer at 3713 Langston Blvd is preparing for a store remodel, Dana Ward, director of communications and public affairs for Albertsons’ Mid-Atlantic Division, told ARLnow. Contractors are receiving work permits as the store has begun selling off some soon-to-be discontinued products.

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Events

Columbia Pike Blues Festival returns next month, relocating to Penrose Square

By Katie Taranto
The crowd at the 2023 Columbia Pike Blues Festival (courtesy of Columbia Pike Partnership)

The annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival will be relocating to a smaller space when it returns next month, eliminating the need for any major road closures.

The popular festival, which will feature a lineup of nationally recognized artists headlined by Kentucky funk and soul group Joslyn & The Sweet Compression, will take place at Penrose Square on June 13, Columbia Pike Partnership Executive Director Andrew Schneider told ARLnow.

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Around Town

The Board Room abruptly closes in Clarendon after eight years of business

By Katie Taranto
The Board Room sign (file photo)

A game bar and brewery in Clarendon closed its doors last week after eight years in business, citing high rent and labor costs.

The Board Room’s last day in business at 925 N. Garfield Street was Thursday, owner Mark Handwerger told ARLnow. A 35-year veteran of the D.C.-area bar space, he said that business never fully recovered from the pandemic and struggled with high overhead costs.

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Events

Cinco de Mayo brings Shirlington street festival and deals on food and drinks

By Katie Taranto
Guapo's in Shirlington (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Cinco de Mayo is tomorrow (Tuesday), bringing an outdoor taco bar and dancing to Shirlington and specials at several Arlington restaurants.

Guapo’s Restaurant is hosting its yearly Cinco de Mayo party from 2-11 p.m. at 4028 Campbell Avenue, prompting a road closure on eastbound Campbell Avenue between S. Randolph Street and S. Quincy streets.

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Events

Star Wars Day bringing treats, trivia and ‘Resistance Rally’ to Arlington

By Katie Taranto
Grogu and Darth Vader doughnuts from Astro Beer Hall (courtesy of Scott Suchman)

Star Wars Day is next Monday, May 4, bringing themed bites, activities and giveaways to Arlington.

A Lego Star Wars building event, Grogu-inspired donuts and even an on-theme protest are just some of the ways local residents will be acknowledging the iconic sci-fi saga. Here’s a look at what is planned in the next few days.

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Around Town

Duke’s Grocery bringing fast-casual burgers and pub food to Crystal City

By Katie Taranto
Duke's Grocery burger and white truffle mac and cheese (courtesy of Taylor Mickal)

A popular D.C. gastropub is bringing its acclaimed burgers to Arlington through a new fast-casual kiosk at Water Park.

Known for its East London-inspired pub fare, Duke’s Grocery is preparing a new spinoff, Duke’s Burgers, at the outdoor Crystal City venue. There, the restaurant — voted “Best Burger in DC” for 10 consecutive years in Washington City Paper’s ‘Best of DC’ — plans to serve up its signature burgers and bites in a fast-casual setting.

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Around Town

Carbonara celebrates two years in Va. Square with planned expansion and cookbook

By Katie Taranto
Carbonara in Virginia Square with two-year anniversary balloons (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Italian restaurant Carbonara is celebrating two years of business in Virginia Square, and its owner has some big plans for the next few months.

Chef Mike Cordero, the prolific restaurateur behind the acclaimed “old school” eatery at 3865 Wilson Blvd, told ARLnow he will soon roll out a new Italian cookbook, “Respect the Sauce,” while he prepares to expand with a second location in Prince William County this June.

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Around Town

New restaurant underway at former 7-Eleven space in Clarendon

By Katie Taranto
3137 Clarendon Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A new restaurant from the founder of a fast-casual Middle Eastern chain appears to be underway at a vacant Clarendon storefront.

A permit application filed this month requests interior alterations at 3137 Wilson Blvd for a business under the name “Clarendon Eats.” The application was filed on behalf of Ahmad Ashkar, the entrepreneur behind fast-casual chain Falafel Inc.

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Around Town

Whino restaurant and art gallery closing with farewell party in Ballston

By Katie Taranto
Whino's space at Ballston Quarter (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A combination restaurant, bar and art gallery in Ballston is hosting a farewell party this weekend after five years in business.

Whino Restaurant and Bar’s last happy hour and dinner service will take place from 4-11 p.m. this Friday, on the second level of Ballston Quarter at 4238 Wilson Blvd. After that, the business is throwing a final party with painting, free food and DJs from 7 p.m.-2 a.m. on Saturday.

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Around Town

Little Beast kid-friendly pizzeria opens tomorrow in Falls Church

By Katie Taranto
Little Beast's Falls Church dining room (courtesy of Little Beast)

A local pizzeria known for its Detroit-style slices and playfully monstrous decor opens for business tomorrow (Wednesday) in Falls Church.

Little Beast is preparing to dish up its first pizzas from its new restaurant at 119 E. Broad Street, on the ground floor of Broad & Washington. There, owner and restaurateur Aaron Gordon plans to offer Detroit and deck oven-style pies, pastas, salads, sandwiches and desserts in a casual, kid-friendly atmosphere.

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Around Town

Bed Bath and Beyond merchandise coming to The Container Store in Clarendon

By Katie Taranto
The Container Store in Clarendon is merging with Bed Bath & Beyond (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The Container Store in Clarendon is selling off a large portion of its merchandise in preparation for a “mashup” with Bed Bath & Beyond.

The business at 2800 Clarendon Blvd is one of 98 stores nationwide transitioning to a new “Container Store + Bed Bath & Beyond” format, integrating a wider range of home goods. Bed Bath & Beyond announced plans to acquire the other chain earlier this month.

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